The Poultry Keeper

Heather · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:54 am Post subject: More questions !!

Hemcore / Aubiose - I am definitely going to use this inside the house - mainly because I understand it will rot down more quickly / better in the compost bin

Can I use it in the run instead of woodchips - or will it be too absorbent when it rains and I will be better off using woodchips .

I have heard of someone using sand as a run cover - but would this be a mess when it rains ??

Otherwise I guess woodchips it is!

I don't know what to do about feed - I was planning to go down there today and buy some layers mash - but I don't know how old the orps will be - or if they will be on pellets

Confused

nigel · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:46 am Post subject:

I don't think hemcore is suitable for the run. I wood go with the wood chips. Make sure you get wood chips not bark chips as the bark go all soggy and don't last as long. We've had wood chip in the run now since February and it's still doing a good job.

Heather · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

Thanks Nigel x

What do you *do* with the wood chip - how often do you you change it etc - and Does it compost down eventually ?

nigel · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:52 am Post subject:

I just spread it in the run, they scratch around in it looking for creepy crawlies. It stops it getting very muddy as the places where the chickens walk all the time it does tend to puddle up quite quickly. If it gets too dirty I'd just rake it up and put it on the compost heap. It will break down eventually. Confused

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I have wood chips in my run, as the girls had demolished the grass. Now I just go inad rake it over every now and again, so that it become 'new' to them so they get excited scratching in it again. I had thought of puting it as a mulch in the flower beds once the autumn comes and getting them some fresh chips.
The bark chips are bad for the girls, as when it gets wet it harbours mould which can make them ill, so please be careful that you get wood and not bark chips

annie · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 155 Location: costa del cambs

So glad someone else has discovered the joys of chooks up to their armpits in a mud puddle, after 4 days of non-stop rain my girls look like they've been mud wrestling,we had grass in the run once! Smile

chicken mummy · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

What is hemcore? How do you use it? Just spread it in the house like you do straw? Where would I get some from?
Where can I get wood chips from? I have tried the local council tip/recycling centre but they do not do them.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I got my wood chips from a local garden centre ~ they had the wood chips and also bark chips ~ just be careful which one you get. I think someone also mentioned getting them from b&q, but I can't confirm that.
The hemcore I think is most easily sourced in places that sell horsey things and yes you just spread it on the floor as you would straw. I haven't tried that yet, but it's supposed to be excellent

nigel · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:47 am Post subject:

I can't get Hemcore here so I use an equestrian bedding called Sundowner Red, its 50% large wood shavings 50% straw, dust extracted, treated with virkon to prevent molds and fungi, and then sprayed with eucalyptus oil to keep away insects. I've found it really good, so much better than the small pet woodshavings i was using and cheaper too.

I wasn't sure how the hens would react but no problems and no taint to the eggs from the eucalyptus either.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Heather · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:01 am Post subject:

Chicken Mummy - Hemcore is made from the inside of the Hemp plant see more here www.hemcore.co.uk

HTH

Heather

nigel · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

i think eucalyptus is fine for chickens, i was just worried about the smell passing through the shells and tainting the eggs

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Oh....good point Nigel.

Becka · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Glasgow

I use hemcore in my hen house and find it really good. It lasts for ages as you can lift off the poo and it composts really quickly - quicker than wood shavings. It is impregnated with citronella oil to help deter flies etc and although I can't say if this works, my hen house smells clean and I don't have a problem with flies. I also use it in my kennels as one of my German Shepherds has a skin allergy and wood shavings irritate the problem - poor, soft lump that she is! I buy it from a farm supplies shop and have it delivered. It is more expensive than shavings but for me the length of time the bales last and the lack of dust they produce equal out any differences in the long run!

chicken mummy · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

Went to find some wood chips and hemcore again today. We did see some wood chips in a large garden centre but they had been coloured! They looked very pretty but we decided against them in case the colour was harmful. Got some bark chips instead as they are better than nothing. Went to a horse supply place and found some easi bed - is this as good as hemcore? Whilst there, found some garlic powder - it gives a dose for horses, any idea what sort of quantity I should use for 6 chickens? I thought that I would mix it in with their layers pellets.
Thanks!